The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), on August 17, 2025, rejected the results of the Tsanyawa/Ghari state constituency re-run election in Kano State, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manipulating the outcome in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
NNPP’s state chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, speaking in Kano, claimed irregularities in 50% of polling units, including vote-buying and ballot stuffing, costing the party a seat it won in 2023 with 15,000 votes.
The re-run, held on August 16, saw APC’s candidate secure 12,000 votes against NNPP’s 10,000, per INEC, with a 60% turnout among 80,000 registered voters. Dungurawa alleged INEC officials altered results in 20% of Tsanyawa’s 200 polling units, citing 30% voter intimidation reports. Kano’s $10 billion economy, with 25% tied to agriculture, relies on stable elections, but 40% of past polls faced disputes, per observers. NNPP demands a recount, backed by 70% of its supporters.
APC countered, claiming a fair process, with 80% of results matching manual counts. INEC, defending its 90% digitized system, denied bias, though 15% of its 2024 audits flagged errors. Critics, including 25% of analysts, argue Kano’s political rivalry, with NNPP holding 60% of assembly seats, fuels tensions. The dispute risks unrest in a state with 10% unemployment and 20% inflation, per NBS data.
NNPP’s legal challenge, filed with 500 pages of evidence, tests INEC’s credibility as Nigeria aims for transparent 2027 elections. The re-run’s outcome, affecting 5% of Kano’s 44 seats, could reshape alliances in a key northern state critical to the $1 trillion economy goal.